Control device, faucet system, home system, device diagnosis method, and device diagnosis program

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a control device including: a control section that controls a home device based on a control instruction; and a communication section that can communicate through a first wireless communication and a second wireless communication, the control section acquiring the control instruction for the home device through the first wireless communication to an access point, the control section implementing a device diagnosis based on the second wireless communication when the first wireless communication is not normal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to control devices, faucet systems, home systems, device diagnostic methods, and device diagnostic procedures. This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2024-030705, filed on February 29, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] The number of residential devices capable of connecting to the internet is increasing. Smart home systems have been proposed that utilize internet-connected residential devices to provide users with comfortable and convenient functions.

[0003] When a communication anomaly occurs in a residential device connected to the internet, the device cannot perform the functions it would otherwise have been able to perform through the internet connection. In such cases, a method for detecting communication anomalies in residential devices has been proposed (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0004] Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-145197 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] There is an expectation for a control device that can more easily perform device diagnostics when communication anomalies occur in residential devices connected to the Internet.

[0008] In view of the above, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a control device, faucet system, home system, device diagnostic method, and device diagnostic program that enable easy device diagnostics when a communication anomaly occurs in a residential device connected to the Internet.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] The control device of the first embodiment of this disclosure includes: a control unit that controls residential equipment based on control instructions; and a communication unit that can communicate via a first wireless communication and a second wireless communication. The control unit obtains the control instructions for the residential equipment via the first wireless communication for an access point, and performs device diagnostics based on the second wireless communication when the first wireless communication is abnormal.

[0011] The second solution of this disclosure provides a home system comprising: residential equipment; an access point; a terminal device; and a control device that controls the residential equipment based on control instructions, is capable of first wireless communication with the access point, and is capable of second wireless communication with the terminal device. The control device obtains the control instructions for the residential equipment through the first wireless communication with the access point. When the first wireless communication between the control device and the access point is abnormal, the terminal device obtains device diagnostic results based on the second wireless communication with the control device.

[0012] The device diagnostic method of the third aspect of this disclosure controls residential equipment based on control instructions and performs device diagnostics on control devices capable of communicating via a first wireless communication and a second wireless communication. Specifically, when the first wireless communication for obtaining the control instructions for the residential equipment is abnormal, device diagnostics based on the second wireless communication are performed.

[0013] The device diagnostic procedure of the fourth embodiment of this disclosure controls residential equipment based on control instructions and performs device diagnostics on control devices capable of communicating via a first wireless communication and a second wireless communication. When the first wireless communication for obtaining the control instructions for the residential equipment is abnormal, device diagnostics based on the second wireless communication are performed. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a home system according to one implementation method.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of the control device for the home system.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram of the smartphone in this home system.

[0017] Figure 4 It is a sequence diagram representing the operation of the home system.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a sequence diagram representing other actions of the home system. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Reference Figures 1 to 5 A home system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0020] [Home System 100] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall structure of home system 100.

[0021] The home system 100 includes residential equipment 1, control devices 2, access points 3, smartphones 4, device management servers 5, user management servers 6, EC servers 7, and call center servers 8. Access points 3, smartphones 4, device management servers 5, user management servers 6, EC servers 7, and call center servers 8 are connected via a network NW.

[0022] The network NW can be a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN) within a building where the home system 100 is installed, or a combination of both. Furthermore, the network NW can be wired or wireless communication. Access points and other devices may also be present in the communication between the various devices.

[0023] [Residential Equipment 1] Residential equipment 1 is a device installed in a residential building (HO) as an appliance, such as a faucet appliance 1A or a toilet appliance 1B. Residential equipment 1 includes at least: building materials such as roller blinds, doors, windows, and keys; cameras such as outdoor cameras and indoor cameras; energy management devices such as distribution panels and solar power generation devices; and sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors and human sensors. Residential buildings (HOs) where residential equipment 1 is installed include not only buildings used for residential purposes but also buildings not used for residential purposes such as offices, schools, and hospitals. Residential equipment 1 has a manual control input mechanism that accepts manual control instructions from the user and a remote control input mechanism that accepts remote control instructions from control devices 2, etc. For example, the control instructions accepted by faucet appliance 1A include instructions for water flow, water stop, temperature adjustment, flow rate adjustment, and a series of instructions combining these. The home system 100 that includes faucet appliance 1A as residential equipment 1 is referred to as a "faucet system".

[0024] [Control device 2] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of control device 2.

[0025] The control device 2 controls the operation of the residential equipment 1. The control device 2 is provided for each residential equipment 1. The control device 2 can be installed inside the residential equipment 1 and become an integral part of it. The control device 2 includes a control unit 21, a wireless communication unit 22, and a recording unit 23.

[0026] The control unit 21 is a computer capable of executing programs, and includes a processor such as a CPU, a memory capable of loading programs, a storage unit capable of storing programs and data, and an input / output control unit. The functions of the control unit 21 are implemented by the processor executing the programs provided to the control unit 21.

[0027] The control unit 21 controls the residential equipment 1 based on control instructions obtained via the wireless communication unit 22. Furthermore, the control unit 21 obtains the usage records (log) of the residential equipment 1 and stores these records in the recording unit 23 as part of the user association information 25. Additionally, the control unit 21 obtains status information that allows it to monitor the usage status of consumables on the residential equipment 1 and stores this status information in the recording unit 23 as part of the user association information 25. Finally, the control unit 21 controls the wireless communication unit 22 to conduct wireless communication with the access point 3 and the smartphone 4.

[0028] The wireless communication unit 22 includes an antenna and has the functions of communication via wireless LAN communication (WC1) such as WiFi and short-range wireless communication (WC2) such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark). The wireless communication unit 22 can communicate with the access point 3 via wireless LAN communication (WC1) based on instructions from the control unit 21. The wireless communication unit 22 can also communicate with the wireless communication unit 42 of the smartphone 4 via short-range wireless communication (WC2) based on instructions from the control unit 21. Wireless LAN communication (WC1) is an example of the first type of wireless communication. Short-range wireless communication (WC2) is an example of the second type of wireless communication.

[0029] The recording unit 23 includes storage media such as hard disks and flash memory. The recording unit 23 records user authentication codes 24, user association information 25, and wireless connection information 26.

[0030] User authentication code 24 is a unique code assigned to a user in the home system 100, used to authenticate the user within the home system 100. User authentication code 24 may be, for example, a combination of a user ID and a password corresponding to that user ID, or a token generated based on the user ID.

[0031] User association information 25 is information associated with the user of residential equipment 1. User association information 25 includes usage records (logs) of residential equipment 1 and status information that allows monitoring the usage status of consumables of residential equipment 1. For example, the status information in faucet device 1A is the amount of water used or the usage time of faucet device 1A, etc.

[0032] The wireless connection information 26 includes wireless connection information required for communication between the wireless LAN communication WC1 and the access point 3, such as a combination of the WiFi SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and the password corresponding to the SSID.

[0033] Wireless connection information 26 contains wireless connection information required for communication with smartphone 4 via short-range wireless communication WC2, such as pairing information for Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0034] [Access Point 3] Access point 3 is located in the residential building HO and has the function of communicating via wireless LAN communication (WC1) such as WiFi. Access point 3 communicates with control device 2 via wireless LAN communication (WC1). In addition, the communication between access point 3 and control device 2 via wireless LAN communication (WC1) is relayed to network NW via gateway GW.

[0035] Multiple access points 3 can be set up in a residential HO. In a residential HO with two access points 3, one is designated as the first access point 3A, and the other as the second access point 3B. Access points 3 can also have a repeater 31 for wireless LAN communication (WC1). The control device 2 can communicate with either the first access point 3A or the second access point 3B. Alternatively, the control device 2 can also communicate with access points 3 via the repeater 31.

[0036] Access point 3 has an ID, namely SSID (Service Set Identifier), used in connection authentication for wireless LAN communication WC1. Access point 3 authorizes communication from control device 2 by using the SSID it possesses and the password corresponding to that SSID.

[0037] Access point 3 can use multiple communication methods for wireless communication, and sets an SSID corresponding to each communication method. For example, access point 3 can use multiple frequency bands for wireless communication, and sets an SSID corresponding to each frequency band. In this embodiment, access point 3 can perform wireless communication in the 2.4GHz frequency band and the 5GHz frequency band, and has a first SSID corresponding to communication in the 2.4GHz frequency band and a second SSID corresponding to communication in the 5GHz frequency band. It should be noted that the different frequency bands are not limited to a combination of the 2.4GHz frequency band and the 5GHz frequency band.

[0038] Furthermore, the two or more SSIDs possessed by access point 3 are not limited to two or more SSIDs with different corresponding frequency bands. For example, if access point 3 includes a first access point 3A and a second access point 3B, the two or more SSIDs possessed by access point 3 can be the first SSID possessed by the first access point 3A and the second SSID possessed by the second access point 3B. For example, the first access point 3A is located on the first floor of a residential building HO, and the second access point 3B is located on the second floor of the residential building HO.

[0039] Furthermore, the two or more SSIDs possessed by access point 3 are not limited to two or more SSIDs corresponding to different frequency bands. For example, if access point 3 has set two or more SSIDs for a frequency band, the two or more SSIDs possessed by access point 3 can also be two or more SSIDs of the same frequency band. For example, the two or more SSIDs possessed by access point 3 could be the first SSID of the first access point 3A corresponding to communication in the 2.4GHz frequency band and the second SSID of the second access point 3B corresponding to communication in the 2.4GHz frequency band.

[0040] [Smartphone 4] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram of smartphone 4.

[0041] Smartphone 4 is an example of a portable terminal or terminal device. Portable terminals and terminal devices are not limited to smartphone 4; for example, they could be mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, personal computers, etc. Smartphone 4 includes a control unit 41, a wireless communication unit 42, a touch panel 43, a camera 44, and a microphone 45.

[0042] The control unit 41 is a computer capable of executing programs, and includes a processor such as a CPU, a memory capable of loading programs, a storage unit capable of storing programs and data, and an input / output control unit. The functions of the control unit 41 are implemented by the processor executing programs provided to the control unit 41. These programs are called applications. The control unit 41 controls the wireless communication unit 42, the touch panel 43, the camera 44, and the microphone 45.

[0043] The wireless communication unit 42 includes an antenna and has the function of communicating via short-range wireless communication WC2 such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark) and via high-speed wireless communication WC3 that can connect to the network NW using fourth-generation communication standards, fifth-generation communication standards, etc. Based on the instructions of the control unit 41, the wireless communication unit 42 can communicate with the wireless communication unit 22 of the control device 2 via short-range wireless communication WC2. Based on the instructions of the control unit 41, the wireless communication unit 42 can also communicate with the device management server 5, user management server 6, EC server 7, and call center server 8 via high-speed wireless communication WC3 that connects to the base station and the network NW.

[0044] The touch panel 43 is, for example, a capacitive touch panel. Input operations given to the touch panel 43 by the user are received by the control unit 41. The touch panel 43 displays a screen based on the instructions from the control unit 41.

[0045] The smartphone 4 has a smart home application AP installed. This smart home application AP is an application that uses residential devices 1 connected to the network NW to provide users with comfortable and convenient functions.

[0046] The smart home application AP can generate remote control instructions for residential device 1. These remote control instructions for residential device 1 are obtained from the device management server 5 via the network NW. The wireless communication unit 22 of the control device 2 obtains the remote control instructions for residential device 1 via the access point 3. The control unit 21 of the control device 2 controls residential device 1 based on the obtained control instructions. Users can remotely operate residential device 1 using the smart home application AP, whether at home or away.

[0047] The smart home application AP can communicate with the control device 2 via short-range wireless communication WC2, instructing the control device 2 to perform device diagnostics on both the residential device 1 and the control device 2, and obtaining device diagnostic results from the control device 2. The smart home application AP can also generate device diagnostic results based on information obtained from the control device 2. The device diagnostic results include at least a portion of the user authentication code 24 and user association information 25. The smart home application AP can upload the device diagnostic results of the residential device 1 to the user management server 6, call center server 8, etc. It should be noted that the device diagnostic results only need to include the diagnostic results of at least one of the residential device 1 and the control device 2.

[0048] [Device Management Server 5] Device management server 5, for example, consists of one or more servers and is capable of connecting to the network NW. Servers include: processors such as CPUs; storage media such as memory, hard disks, and flash memory; and hardware such as communication equipment. The functions of device management server 5 are implemented through programs executed in the server's processor. Servers can be field servers, cloud servers providing IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), SaaS (Software as a Service), or a combination of these. In the following description, "server" includes any of the aforementioned servers.

[0049] Device management server 5 is a server that manages residential device 1. Device management server 5 obtains control instructions for residential device 1 generated in the smart home application (AP). These control instructions for residential device 1 are obtained by control device 2. Device management server 5 records the user-generated control instructions for residential device 1 as control instruction records. Additionally, device management server 5 obtains status information from control device 2 that allows it to monitor the usage status of consumables for residential device 1. Device management server 5 records the control instruction records for residential device 1 and the status information of residential device 1 as user-related information.

[0050] [User Management Server 6] User management server 6, for example, consists of one or more servers and is capable of connecting to network NW. The functions of user management server 6 are implemented through programs executed in the server's processor.

[0051] User management server 6 is a server that manages user authentication code 24. Users of home system 100 can obtain user authentication code 24 from user management server 6. The user authentication code 24 obtained by the user is also recorded in control device 2 and device management server 5. In addition, the user authentication code 24 obtained by the user is also registered in the smart home application AP of smartphone 4. Control instructions for residential device 1 generated by the user in smart home application AP are obtained by device management server 5 and control device 2 associated with user authentication code 24.

[0052] [EC Server 7] An EC (Electronic Commerce) server 7, for example, consists of one or more servers and is capable of connecting to a network NW. The functionality of the EC server 7 is achieved through programs executed in the server's processor.

[0053] EC Server 7 is a server capable of ordering consumables for Residential Equipment 1. Users can order consumables for Residential Equipment 1 using the EC Server 7's website. Alternatively, users can order consumables for Residential Equipment 1 using the smart home application AP on their smartphone 4. Furthermore, Device Management Server 5 can also order consumables based on the obtained status information of Residential Equipment 1.

[0054] [Call Center Server 8] Call center server 8, for example, consists of one or more servers and is capable of connecting to a network NW. The functionality of call center server 8 is implemented through programs executed in the server's processor.

[0055] Call center server 8 is a server set up in the call center of residential unit 1. The call center is an equipment manufacturer that accepts inquiries from users related to residential unit 1 via telephone or other means. Call center server 8 obtains the usage records (logs) of residential unit 1 via network NW. When answering telephone inquiries from users, call center staff use the usage records (logs) obtained by call center server 8.

[0056] It should be noted that two or more of the following servers can be the same: Device Management Server 5, User Management Server 6, EC Server 7, and Call Center Server 8.

[0057] Next, the operation of the home system 100 will be explained. The following will use... Figure 4 The timing diagram shown in the home system 100 illustrates the operation of the home system 100.

[0058] In this embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the smartphone 4 and the call center server 8 function as "device diagnostic devices" to perform device diagnostics on the residential equipment 1 and the control device 2.

[0059] Here, it is assumed that a communication failure occurs in residential equipment 1 and control device 2, including the inability to communicate with access point 3 via wireless LAN communication WC1. The user who identifies the failure connects smartphone 4 to control device 2 via short-range wireless communication WC2 and activates the smart home application AP. The user then uses the smart home application AP to instruct control device 2 to perform device diagnostics on both residential equipment 1 and control device 2.

[0060] In step S100, the control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 issues an instruction to the control device 2 to perform device diagnostics on the residential equipment 1 and the control device 2.

[0061] In step S110, the control unit 21 of the control device 2 performs device diagnostics on the residential equipment 1 and the control device 2 to generate device diagnostic results, and sends the device diagnostic results to the smartphone 4. It should be noted that the control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 can also generate device diagnostic results based on information obtained from the control device 2.

[0062] In step S120, the control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 uploads the device diagnostic results to the call center server 8.

[0063] In step S130, the call center server 8 parses the obtained device diagnostic results and generates a recovery instruction (recovery command) for the control device 2. The call center server 8 sends the recovery instruction to the control device 2 via the smartphone 4. The control device 2 can then recover from the communication failure of the wireless LAN communication WC1 based on the obtained recovery instruction.

[0064] When answering inquiries from users via telephone or other means, call center operators can use the device diagnostic results obtained from the call center server 8.

[0065] Next, use Figure 5 The timing diagram shown in the home system 100 illustrates other operations of the home system 100. Steps S100 to S110 and... Figure 4 The operation is the same as that of the home system 100 shown.

[0066] In step S230, the control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 analyzes the obtained device diagnostic results and generates a recovery instruction for the control device 2. The control unit 41 of the smartphone 4 sends the recovery instruction to the control device 2 via the smartphone 4. The control device 2 can recover from the communication failure of the wireless LAN communication WC1 based on the obtained recovery instruction.

[0067] exist Figure 5 In the operation of the home system 100 shown, only the smartphone 4 functions as a "device diagnostic device".

[0068] According to the home system 100 of this embodiment, device diagnosis can be easily performed when there is a communication anomaly in the residential equipment 1 connected to the Internet.

[0069] In this embodiment, the device diagnostic device analyzes the diagnostic results of the parsing device and generates a recovery instruction, thus easily resolving communication anomalies in residential equipment 1 without the need for operator support from a call center.

[0070] In this embodiment, wireless LAN communication WC1 is an example of the first wireless communication, and short-range wireless communication WC2 is an example of the second wireless communication. However, the first and second wireless communications are not limited to these. Alternatively, the first wireless communication could be wireless LAN communication WC1 using a first SSID, and the second wireless communication could be wireless LAN communication WC1 using a second SSID. That is, the second wireless communication only needs to be a backup communication unit for the first wireless communication.

[0071] The present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific solution is not limited to this embodiment and may include design changes that do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the constituent elements shown in the above embodiments and variations can be appropriately combined.

[0072] The program of control device 2, etc., is stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The computer system reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as the operating system and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the "computer-readable storage medium" includes at least: removable media such as floppy disks, optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs; and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Additionally, the "computer-readable storage medium" may also include: a medium that dynamically maintains the program for a short period of time, such as a communication line used to transmit the program via a network such as the Internet or a telephone line; or a medium that maintains the program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or client in this case. Furthermore, the program may be a program used to implement the above-mentioned functions, a program that can implement the above-mentioned functions by combining with a program already recorded in the computer system, or a program implemented using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0073] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0074] 100: Home system; AP: Smart home application; 1: Residential equipment; 2: Control device; 21: Control unit; 22: Wireless communication unit; 23: Recording unit; 24: User authentication code; 25: User association information; 26: Wireless connection information; 28: Information protection unit; 29: Communication initialization unit; 3: Access point; 4: Smartphone; 5: Device management server; 6: User management server; 7: EC server; 8: Call center server.

Claims

1. A control device, characterized in that, have: The control unit controls residential equipment based on control instructions; The communications unit is capable of communicating via a first wireless communication and a second wireless communication. The control unit obtains the control instruction for the residential equipment via the first wireless communication with the access point. When the first wireless communication is abnormal, the control unit performs device diagnostics based on the second wireless communication.

2. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The communication method of the first wireless communication is different from that of the second wireless communication.

3. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wireless communication is wireless LAN communication, and the second wireless communication is short-range wireless communication.

4. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit performs device diagnostics based on the second wireless communication with terminal devices different from the access point.

5. The control device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control unit enables the terminal device to obtain the information required to generate device diagnostic results in the device diagnostic based on the second wireless communication.

6. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit generates device diagnostic results in the device diagnostics based on the second wireless communication.

7. A faucet system, characterized in that, have: The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; A faucet device, which is a residential appliance controlled by the control device.

8. A home system, characterized in that, have: Residential equipment; Access point; Terminal device; The control device controls the residential equipment based on control instructions, is capable of first wireless communication with the access point, and is capable of second wireless communication with the terminal device. The control device obtains the control instruction for the residential equipment via the first wireless communication with the access point. When the first wireless communication between the control device and the access point is abnormal, the terminal device obtains the device diagnostic result based on the second wireless communication with the control device.

9. The home system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The communication method of the first wireless communication is different from that of the second wireless communication.

10. The home system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first wireless communication is wireless LAN communication, and the second wireless communication is short-range wireless communication.

11. The home system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control device generates the device diagnostic results based on instructions from the terminal device.

12. The home system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The terminal device generates the device diagnostic results based on the history information obtained from the control device.

13. The home system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The terminal device analyzes the obtained device diagnostic results and generates a recovery instruction for the control device.

14. The home system according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a diagnostic result acquisition device capable of communicating with the terminal device. The diagnostic result acquisition device obtains the device diagnostic result from the terminal device.

15. The home system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The diagnostic result acquisition device analyzes the acquired device diagnostic results to generate a recovery instruction for the control device.

16. The home system according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that, The residential appliance is a faucet device.

17. A device diagnostic method, comprising controlling residential equipment based on control instructions, and performing device diagnostics on control devices capable of communicating via a first wireless communication and a second wireless communication, characterized in that, When the first wireless communication for obtaining the control instruction for the residential equipment is malfunctioning, device diagnostics based on the second wireless communication are performed.

18. A device diagnostic program for controlling residential equipment based on control instructions, and for performing device diagnostics on control devices capable of communicating via a first wireless communication and a second wireless communication, characterized in that, When the first wireless communication for obtaining the control instruction for the residential equipment is malfunctioning, device diagnostics based on the second wireless communication are performed.

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